Reporter Wang Wei reports On the afternoon of January 26, the Guangzhou Leopards flew from Guangzhou to Chiang Mai, Thailand, officially beginning a three-week overseas training camp. With the goal of promotion this season, Guangzhou Leopards received a major boost before the season started: on January 29, the Chinese Football Association announced penalties for four China League One clubs, each losing 3 to 4 points. Although this deduction is not enough to determine the promotion race this year, it at least gives Guangzhou Leopards a slight advantage at the starting line.

Multiple friendlies arranged during Thailand training camp

Since mid-December last year, Guangzhou Leopards have been conducting winter training for the 2026 season in Guangzhou for about 40 days, focusing initially on physical conditioning. During this period, they played several friendlies against teams such as Guangdong Mingtou, Shenzhen 2028, Zhejiang, Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, and the U19 national team. During the overseas training phase in Thailand, Guangzhou Leopards will continue to play friendlies against various teams to further refine tactics and identify weaknesses.

In several warm-up matches, Guangzhou Leopards’ form has gradually improved. In a friendly against Zhejiang held at Guangdong Provincial People's Stadium, Li Zhi, who had previously played for Shenzhen Xinpengcheng in past seasons, scored the only goal of the match, helping Guangzhou Leopards secure a 1-0 victory over Zhejiang.

After playing a friendly against the U19 national team led by Jurjevic on January 24 at the auxiliary field of Zhaoqing New District Sports Center, Guangzhou Leopards flew from Guangzhou to Chiang Mai on the afternoon of January 26. On January 28, they played their first friendly of the Thailand training camp against local Thai League 2 team Maejo United, winning 2-0. It is reported that Guangzhou Leopards will continue to face Thai League 1 and League 2 teams such as Chiang Mai United, Phrae United, and Chiang Rai United in multiple friendlies to further integrate the squad and assess player form.

A surprise in the final foreign player?

Guangzhou Leopards are one of the few China League One teams to conduct overseas training, demonstrating their strong ambition for promotion this season. Besides focusing on training, recruitment will play a decisive role in achieving promotion. On January 19, Guangzhou Leopards officially announced contract renewals with Ma Junliang, Liang Xueming, Cai Haochang, Han Xuan, Duan Yunzi, and Deng Biao.

At the same time, new members have joined the coaching and medical rehabilitation staff: Liu Tao, who played for Jiangsu Suning, Guangdong Rizhizquan, Shenzhen Lehman, Suzhou Dongwu, and Chengdu Rongcheng during his playing career, has joined as an assistant coach; Arthur Lakrakhli, holding dual German and Moroccan nationality and UEFA A coaching license, has joined as a fitness coach; Brazilian Clayton, previously a physiotherapist for Guangzhou R&F, Shanghai Port, and Shenzhen Kaisa, has also joined this season.

Regarding players, foreign player Toudole and domestic players Liao Junjian, Liu Langzhou, Liu Bin, and Gao Huaze have already joined Guangzhou Leopards’ overseas training. It is understood that the final domestic player is currently being finalized, and the last foreign signing will strengthen the attack. Although insiders are reluctant to reveal the target early, the statement that “the last foreign player might be a surprise” has raised expectations.

Advantages for promotion, but the path won’t be smooth

On January 29, the Chinese Football Association announced penalties for multiple teams, deducting 4 points from Changchun Yatai’s 2026 league tally, and 3 points each from Meizhou Hakka, Suzhou Dongwu, and Ningbo (formerly Shanghai Jiading Huilong).

Among them, Meizhou Hakka and Changchun Yatai, both recently relegated from the Chinese Super League to China League One, are widely seen as strong promotion contenders. Suzhou Dongwu and Ningbo are also established strong teams in the league. All four are strong competitors for Guangzhou Leopards’ promotion ambitions this season. With these four teams docked 3 to 4 points before the season even starts, Guangzhou Leopards gain a head start in the promotion race.

Regarding this “unexpected windfall,” Guangzhou Leopards remain calm and composed. They emphasize that over the long 30-round competition, a difference of three or four points is not significant. Moreover, newly strengthened teams like Yanbian Longding, Shaanxi United, Shijiazhuang Kungfu, and Shenzhen Youth also have promotion plans. Therefore, Guangzhou Leopards’ path to promotion will not be smooth, and opponents’ setbacks will not alter their original preparation plans and rhythm. According to head coach Feng Feng, whether during winter training or the league, the team must focus on themselves first, especially during this winter training period, where careful squad integration and tactical development are essential.